GUITAR AND VOICE…Maria Schafer/Shane Savala: No Broken Hearts, The McNaMarr Project: Holla & Moan, Terrence Brewer & Pamela Rose: Don’t Worry About Me

Guitar in support, lovely voice in the front. What could be better?

Cozy and relaxed interplay takes place between porcelain voiced Maria Schafer and her guitar partner Shane Savala along with the supportive pulse of Max Kraus/b and James Yoshizawa/dr-perc. The ambiance opens up with a gospel “Half Awake” leading into a playful indie rendition of Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz.” The team sways on a Latin table dance of “Angel Eyes” and Schafer shows how to swing on “The Lady Is A Tramp.” Brad Black’s organ cameo gives a 50s feel to her ballad “No Broken Hearts” and the team gives a “Poinciana” pulse to “Love For Sale.” A gentle breeze through the drapes.

Vocalist Andrea Marr co-leads with guitarist and singer John McNamara along with a smoky BBQ team of Bobby Manuel/g, Ray Griffin/b, Willie Hall/dr, Lester Snell/key s and a sizzling horn section on a funk filled fest of originals. The riffs sound right out of the STAX stacks with an Eddie Floyd riff on the stomping “Can You Take The Heat” and the horns giving a Memphis stew on the sweaty title track. Marr wails with a choir on the Sunday gospel’d “History” and the guitars preach it on “Cry With Me.” As sweet and tasty as dry rub at Rendezvous.

Pamela Rose teams with supple guitarist Terrence Brewer for a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Williams on these sublime six vintage tunes. Ellingtonia is in dominant form here with the pair in bold form on “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues” and in confident array on “Take Love Easy.” Brewer picks out a lithe line for a gorgeous “I Want To Talk About You” and flows with serenity as Rose stretches out the lyrics to “A Foggy Day.” Her enunciation is kinetic on “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me” and the two reflect like a deep pond on “Lush Life.” Sublime serenades.

www.marschmusic.com

www.facebook.com/themcnamarrproject/

www.terrrencebrewer.com

www.pamelarose.com

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